Roseann Kellner Gottier, founder and president of Conserving Tolland, has created one of the best trail guides I've seen. Perhaps even more impressive is how simple it all was for the Tolland native, whose family has been in town for generations. Her tools? A computer program and some supplies from Staples.

"It's my 'green' book," she said, noting that no longer will area walkers and hikers have to print out the two-page property descriptions and maps of the 11 hikes in town. "A lot of hiking and walking books are filled with lots of info, but aren't easy to take out on the trail. This is something that comes in handy."

Although the concept of a collection of trail maps and walk books isn't new, Gottier's anthology of 11 local hikes is perfect. The grouping is secured by a small carabiner — with a "not for climbing" warning on it. The front of each page has the location, directions and a brief description of the property. The back has detailed colored maps, including the mileage, and the color that each trail is blazed.

You simply select a hike, bend back the carabiner release, take out the laminated, weatherproof card, and go enjoy some of the 1,200 acres Conserving Tolland and the town have preserved since 2000 — one of the state's more impressive achievements in open space preservation. And Tolland also has some of my favorite places to hike.

The book came out before Christmas and has been tough to keep on the shelves, with more than 250 sold in a few weeks, according to Gottier. The store where the books are sold — Homestead on the Tolland Green — also has benefitted from the extra customers coming in for the book.

"It's great they are helping us and we are in turn helping a small business in town," Gottier said. "I never imagined the book would be such a hit. But I think it speaks to the popularity of getting out and walking and hiking and the benefits open space provides to the town."

Gottier said that when she first started the group to encourage the conservation and preservation of open space in town a decade ago, it was a "real uphill battle," and she never would have imagined it having such a "happy ending."

"I think there is room for a few more maps," she added, holding up the relatively empty carabiner as she gazed outside at the woodlands around her Tolland home. New pages will be added as more land is purchased and trails are blazed.

And all you other land trusts and towns out there, feel free to give Gottier a call. She got it right.

The walk book is available at the Homestead on the Tolland Green for $12, with the money going back into the production of more books. The hours for the store — at the junction of Routes 195 and 74 — are Tuesday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon – 5 p.m. For more information about the group, visitconserving tollandct.org and make sure to check out "the gift," a slideshow homage to the town's land donors.

Peter Marteka can be reached at 860-647-5365 or pmarteka@courant.com or at The Courant, 200 Adams St., Manchester CT 06040. Visitcourant.com/cthiking for more adventures in the state's natural world.